HM Sultan Brunei: Greater Synergy Vital To Transnational Threats

HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, has called for greater multi-agency cooperation in tackling the emergence of transnational security threats.

The Defence Minister and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) yesterday said the world is facing a multitude of security challenges across international boundaries.

In a titah at the 55th RBAF anniversary celebration, the monarch said the sultanate is “not exempted from the possibility of encountering” traditional and non-traditional security threats such as terrorism, maritime and cyber security as well as natural disasters.

His Majesty further underscored the need for cooperation not only among security agencies in the country, but also at the international level.

“It is, therefore, imperative to review the procedures and best practices as well as sharing of knowledge and skills through bilateral and multilateral exercises to ensure its relevance at all times,” said the Sultan during the event at the Defence Academy in Tanah Jambu.

As one of the hallmarks of the RBAF, His Majesty explained the new infrastructure is tasked with producing young officers equipped with fundamental leadership and military knowledge. “The academy must continue to plan and broaden the scope of its teaching towards developing quality military officers at tactical, operational and strategic levels. All these are vital in facing the challenging and uncertain contemporary operating environment,” said the monarch.

His Majesty also cautioned against complacency following RBAF’s procurement of “sophisticated and state-of-the-art” military equipment.

“This should not stop us from making further improvements... The Ministry of Defence will need to continue to adjust the direction of development planning and research according to requirements and priorities,” added the Sultan.

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…

BY COMMAND of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented to the transfer and appointment of the following senior officers – Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau and Solicitor General has been transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Datin Elinda binti Haji CA Mohamed, Special Senior Duties Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau.